Trumbo finally turns 30 in Angels' win

The Angels' Mark Trumbo watches the flight of his three-run home run during the fourth inning. It was his 30th homer of the season. JAE C. HONG, AP

ANAHEIM – It was only a matter of time before Mark Trumbo hit his 30th home run of 2013.

But it took awhile.

Sitting on 29 long balls since Aug. 19, Trumbo finally unloaded for lucky No. 30 in a huge spot Friday night against the rival Texas Rangers, providing the decisive offense in a 6-5 Angels win at Angel Stadium.

“For a guy who is a power hitter, it’s nice to hit for power,” Trumbo said.

Trumbo’s three-run shot made him the sixth Angel to record back-to-backï¥ 30-homer seasons, and the first since Vladimir Guerrero did it three years in a row in 2004-06.

Only seven major leaguers have hit 30 homers in both 2012 and 2013.

And Trumbo did it while in the middle of a 4-for-33 slump, which he seems to be over with now.

“Sometimes, you have to struggle and fail to understand what’s going to work with you,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “At the end of the day, he’s there for production, and his production numbers are where they should be.”

Trumbo leads the Angels and all of the American League West with his home-run total — and his 87 RBI.

After starter C.J. Wilson allowed two homers and three runs in three innings to his ex-teammates, the Angels strung together four singles in the fourth for two runs. Then, with two runners on, Trumbo faced Rangers right-hander Matt Garza. He fouled off a fastball before smashing a second-pitch slider over the left-center fence.

The Angels stayed ahead as Wilson settled down to finish 62/3 innings and allow only one more run — for a total of four. He earned his team-leading 15th victory.

In the ninth inning, Ernesto Frieri allowed two-out hits to Leonys Martin and Elvis Andrus to put the tying run on base, then struck out Ian Kinsler swinging to end it and earn his 31st save.

The Angels (66-74) are back to eight games under .500. They haven’t been seven under since Aug. 3.

The Angels' Mark Trumbo watches the flight of his three-run home run during the fourth inning. It was his 30th homer of the season. JAE C. HONG, AP
Mark Trumbo (44) is congratulated by Kole Calhoun, center, and Hank Conger after hitting a three-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning as home plate umpire Adrian Johnson looks on. JEFF GROSS, GETTY IMAGES
Ian Kinsler of the Rangers forces Josh Hamilton out at second base before throwing to first to complete the double play in the second inning. JEFF GROSS, GETTY IMAGES
Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo fields the throw for the out on the Rangers' Elvis Andrus during the first inning. JAE C. HONG, AP
Angels starter C.J. Wilson delivers against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Angel Stadium. Wilson went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, in earning his 15th win. JEFF GROSS, GETTY IMAGES
The Rangers' Ian Kinsler scores on a single by A.J. Pierzynski as Angels catcher Hank Conger waits for the throw during the third inning. JAE C. HONG, AP
The Angels' Andrew Romine forces the Rangers' Alex Rios out at second before throwing to first to complete the double play in the sixth inning. JAE C. HONG, AP
Mike Trout is safe at first as Rangers first baseman Jeff Baker dives to field the throw during the fifth inning. JAE C. HONG, AP

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